MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's softball is once again returning to their home field to compete against Santa Clara and Boise State on Saturday through Monday, April 15-17 to play a total of four games throughout this three-day period. The doubleheader on April 15 against Santa Clara is Alumni Appreciation Day and their following game on April 16 is Strike Out Cancer Day. 
 
THE DETAILS
Saint Mary's Gaels (11-17, 2-1) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (18-17, 0-3)
Saturday DH at 12:00 pm, Sunday single game at 12:00 pm
Cottrell Field – Moraga, Calif.
Watch Game 1 | Watch Game 2 | Watch Game 3 | Live Stats
 
Saint Mary's Gaels vs. Boise State Broncos (21-12, 8-2)
Monday, April 17 at 3:00 pm
Cottrell Field – Moraga, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gaels wrapped up their first West Coast Conference series of the year last weekend, winning the three-game series against USD. Their pitching was stellar all weekend long, highlighted by a three-hit shutout in the series finale by Avrey Wolverton. The series began with an 8-4 win in a rain-filled marathon that lasted nearly six hours, with a near-three-hour delay in the middle. Taylor Keinath got rolling offensively, hitting over .400 for the week, including her first home run as a Gael in that win. The teams then split the doubleheader on Saturday, giving the Gaels a 2-1 record after one WCC series.
 
FINDING THEIR GROOVE
While the offense may not be putting up a ton of runs, Saint Mary's saw a shutdown performance from Avrey Wolverton, who is cementing herself as the ace of the team. Wolverton spun her third consecutive complete game as a starter, and her first collegiate shutout, holding the USD offense to just three hits. She walked only one hitter and struck out seven in the masterclass, and much like Earnshaw in game one, she did not allow a runner to get past second base. After allowing the first two hitters of the game to reach base, Wolverton retired 13 of the next 14 hitters during her most dominant stretch. For the week, Wolverton caps off a stretch of pitching 14.2 innings without allowing an earned run, while picking up two wins and a save.
 
ABOUT SANTA CLARA
The Broncos have played 35 games this season with an overall record of 18-17. They most recently played against BYU at home and lost all three games they played, beginning their WCC slate of games winless. The team overall batting average is a .292 and on base percentage is .389, meaning they have the ability to beat some of the best pitching staffs in the country. The one hitter in particular who is out of this world is Ashley Trierweiler, who is putting up one of the best seasons in the country. She is second in the NCAA with a .520 batting average, leads in the country in OBP at .629, and is second in the WCC with seven home runs. Slow her down, and you have a chance to win.
 
ABOUT BOISE STATE
The Broncos have played 33 this season with an overall record of 21-12, with an 8-2 record in Mountain West play. They most recently played a doubleheader against Nevada State on April 12 with losing their first game but winning their second. Before taking on the Gaels, they'll play a conference series at San Jose State. Two of their players have batting averages above .300. With seniors Kelsey Hall coming in with an average of .472 and Autumn Bennett coming in with .402. The offense comes with a lot of thump, leading the NCAA in home runs per game (1.88), and ranking second in slugging percentage (.603).